Disclosed is a semiconductor structure that incorporates a capacitor for reducing the soft error rate of a device within the structure. The multi-layer semiconductor structure includes an insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure that is formed through an active silicon layer, a first insulator layer, and a first bulk layer and extends to a second insulator layer. The resulting isolated portion of the first bulk layer defines the first capacitor plate. A portion of the second insulator layer that is adjacent the first capacitor plate functions as the capacitor dielectric. Either the silicon substrate or a portion of a second bulk layer that is isolated by a third insulator layer and another deep trench isolation structure can function as the second capacitor plate. A first capacitor contact couples, either directly or via a wire array, the first capacitor plate to a circuit node of the device in order to increase the critical charge, Qcrit, of the circuit node.

Claim:

What is claimed is:

1. A semiconductor structure comprising: an active layer; a device in said active layer; a first insulator layer below said active layer; a first bulk layer below saidfirst insulator layer; a second insulator layer below said first bulk layer; a second bulk layer below said second insulator layer; a capacitor electrically coupled to said device, said capacitor comprising: a first capacitor contact positionedlaterally adjacent to said device, said first capacitor contact extending vertically through said active silicon layer and said first insulator layer to said first bulk layer; a first capacitor plate comprising a portion of said first bulk layer belowsaid first capacitor contact; a capacitor dielectric comprising a portion of said second insulator layer below said first capacitor plate; a second capacitor plate comprising at least a portion of said second bulk layer below said capacitor dielectric; and a second capacitor contact positioned laterally adjacent to said first capacitor contact such that said first capacitor contact is between said second capacitor contact and said device, said second capacitor contact extending vertically through saidactive layer, said first insulator layer, said first bulk layer and said second insulator layer to said second capacitor plate; and, a deep trench isolation structure extending vertically through said active layer, said first insulator layer and saidfirst bulk layer to said second insulator layer, isolating said first capacitor contact from said active layer and further isolating said portion of said first bulk layer comprising said first capacitor plate from other portions of said first bulk layer.

2. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, wherein an area measurement of said first capacitor plate is smaller in size relative to an area measurement of said device.

3. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, further comprising a wire array above said active layer; wherein said device comprises a circuit node, wherein said wire array couples said capacitor to said circuit node, and wherein said capacitoris configured to increase the minimum charge required to cause a soft error in said circuit node.

4. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, further comprising: a second device in said active layer abutting said second capacitor contact; a third insulator layer below said second bulk layer; and a second deep trench isolation structureextending vertically through said active layer, said first insulator layer, said second insulator layer and said second bulk layer to said third insulator layer and isolating said portion of said second bulk layer comprising said second capacitor platefrom other portions of said second bulk layer, said portion of said second bulk layer comprising said second capacitor plate being below said second capacitor contact, said second device and said first capacitor contact.

5. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, further comprising: a second deep trench isolation structure extending vertically through said active layer, said first insulator layer and said first bulk layer to said second insulator layer andisolating said second capacitor contact from said active layer and from said first bulk layer; a third insulator layer below said second bulk layer; and a third deep trench isolation structure extending vertically through said active layer, said firstinsulator layer, said first bulk layer, said second insulator layer and said second bulk layer to said third insulator layer and isolating said portion of said second bulk layer comprising said second capacitor plate from other portions of said secondbulk layer, said portion of said second bulk layer comprising said capacitor play being below said first capacitor contact and said second capacitor contact.

6. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, further comprising: a third bulk layer below said third insulator layer; and an additional contact extending vertically through said active layer, said first insulator layer, said first bulk layer,said second insulator layer, said second bulk layer and said third insulator layer to said third bulk layer.

7. A semiconductor structure comprising: an active layer; a device in said active layer; a first insulator layer below said active layer; a first bulk layer below said first insulator layer; a second insulator layer below said first bulklayer; a second bulk layer below said second insulator layer; a capacitor electrically coupled to said device, said capacitor comprising: a first capacitor contact positioned laterally adjacent to said device, said first capacitor contact extendingvertically through said active silicon layer and said first insulator layer to said first bulk layer; a first capacitor plate comprising a portion of said first bulk layer below said first capacitor contact; a capacitor dielectric comprising a portionof said second insulator layer below said first capacitor plate; a second capacitor plate comprising at least a portion of said second bulk layer below said capacitor dielectric; and a second capacitor contact positioned laterally adjacent to saidfirst capacitor contact such that said first capacitor contact is between said second capacitor contact and said device, said second capacitor contact extending vertically through said active layer, said first insulator layer, said first bulk layer andsaid second insulator layer to said second capacitor plate; and, a deep trench isolation structure extending vertically through said active layer, said first insulator layer and said first bulk layer to said second insulator layer, isolating said firstcapacitor contact from said active layer and further isolating said portion of said first bulk layer comprising said first capacitor plate from other portions of said first bulk layer, wherein an area measurement of said first capacitor plate is smallerin size relative to an area measurement of said device.

8. The semiconductor structure of claim 7, further comprising a wire array above said active layer; wherein said device comprises a circuit node, wherein said wire array couples said capacitor to said circuit node, and wherein said capacitoris configured to increase the minimum charge required to cause a soft error in said circuit node.

9. The semiconductor structure of claim 7, further comprising: a second device in said active layer abutting said second capacitor contact; a third insulator layer below said second bulk layer; a second deep trench isolation structureextending vertically through said active layer, said first insulator layer, said second insulator layer and said second bulk layer to said third insulator layer and isolating said portion of said second bulk layer comprising said second capacitor plateform other portions of said second bulk layer, said portion of said second bulk layer comprising said second capacitor plate being below said second capacitor contact, said second device and said first capacitor contact.

10. The semiconductor structure of claim 7, further comprising: a second deep trench isolation structure extending vertically through said active layer, said first insulator layer and said first bulk layer to said second insulator layer andisolating said second capacitor contact from said active layer and from said first bulk layer; a third insulator layer below said second bulk layer; and a third deep trench isolation structure extending vertically through said active layer, said firstinsulator layer, said first bulk layer, said second insulator layer and said second bulk layer to said third insulator layer and isolating said portion of said second bulk layer comprising said second capacitor plate from other portions of said secondbulk layer, said portion of said second bulk layer comprising said capacitor play being below said first capacitor contact and said second capacitor contact.

11. The semiconductor structure of claim 7, further comprising: a third bulk layer below said third insulator layer; and an additional contact extending vertically through said active layer, said first insulator layer, said first bulk layer,said second insulator layer, said second bulk layer and said third insulator layer to said third bulk layer.

12. A semiconductor structure comprising: an active layer; a device in said active layer, said device comprising a circuit node; a first insulator layer below said device; a first bulk layer below said first insulator layer; a secondinsulator layer below said first bulk layer; a second bulk layer below said second insulator layer; a capacitor electrically coupled to said device, said capacitor comprising: a first capacitor contact positioned laterally adjacent to said device, saidfirst capacitor contact extending vertically through said active silicon layer and said first insulator layer to said first bulk layer; a first capacitor plate comprising a portion of said first bulk layer below said first capacitor contact; acapacitor dielectric comprising a portion of said second insulator layer below said first capacitor plate; a second capacitor plate comprising at least a portion of said second bulk layer below said capacitor dielectric; and a second capacitor contactpositioned laterally adjacent to said first capacitor contact such that said first capacitor contact is between said second capacitor contact and said device, said second capacitor contact extending vertically through said active layer, said firstinsulator layer, said first bulk layer and said second insulator layer to said second capacitor plate; a deep trench isolation structure extending vertically through said active layer, said first insulator layer and said first bulk layer to said secondinsulator layer, isolating said first capacitor contact from said active layer and further isolating said portion of said first bulk layer comprising said capacitor plate; and, a wire array above said active layer and electrically coupling said deviceto said first capacitor contact to allow said capacitor to increase the minimum charge required to cause a soft error in said circuit node.

13. The semiconductor structure of claim 12, wherein an area measurement of said first capacitor plate is smaller in size relative to an area measurement of said device.

14. The semiconductor structure of claim 12, further comprising a second device in said active layer abutting said second capacitor contact; a third insulator layer below said second bulk layer; and a second deep trench isolation structureextending vertically through said active layer, said first insulator layer, said second insulator layer and said second bulk layer to said third insulator layer and isolating said portion of said second bulk layer comprising said second capacitor platefrom other portions of said second bulk layer, said portion of said second bulk layer comprising said second capacitor plate being below said second capacitor contact, said second device and said first capacitor contact.

15. The semiconductor structure of claim 12, further comprising: a third bulk layer below said third insulator layer; and an additional contact extending vertically through said active layer, said first insulator layer, said first bulk layer,said second insulator layer, said second bulk layer and said third insulator layer to said third bulk layer.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) structures. Particularly, the invention relates to a semiconductor structure that incorporates a capacitor within the structure for reducing the soft error rate ofa circuit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Solid-state circuits, including memory devices and flip-flops, are susceptible to upset by ionizing radiation, noise and other sources. These upsets are known as soft errors because information is lost but the circuit is not damaged. Softerrors due to ionizing radiation events are known as single-event upsets because a single radiation particle can cause the upset. As a result of CMOS technology scaling, both the supply voltage and the capacitance of the circuit nodes of circuits aredecreasing. Thus, less charge is stored at the circuit node and less charge is required to cause a soft error. The minimum charge required to cause a soft error is known as the critical charge, Qcrit. As Qcrit decreases, soft error susceptibility(i.e., the soft error rate (SER)) increases and vice versa.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure presents a semiconductor structure that incorporates a capacitor for reducing the soft error rate of a device within the structure by increasing the minimum charge required to cause a soft error at the circuit node of the device. In each embodiment, the multi-layer semiconductor structure comprises an insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure formed through an active silicon layer, a first insulator layer, and a first bulk layer to a second insulator layer. The resultingisolated portion of the first bulk layer defines the first capacitor plate. A portion of the second insulator layer that is adjacent the first capacitor plate functions as the capacitor dielectric. A capacitor contact couples the first capacitor plateto a circuit node of the device to increase the minimum charge required to cause a soft error (i.e., Qcrit) in the circuit node.

One embodiment of the semiconductor structure comprises an active layer with a first device in the active layer. The active layer is on a first insulator layer. The first insulator layer is on a first bulk layer. The first bulk layer is on asecond insulator layer and the second insulator layer is on a second bulk layer. A first insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure is positioned adjacent the first device and extends to the second insulator layer. A capacitor is coupled to thedevice. The capacitor comprises a first capacitor plate, a capacitor dielectric, a second capacitor plate, and first and second capacitor contacts. The first capacitor plate of this structure is positioned adjacent a second side of the first insulatorlayer in a region opposite from the location of the device positioned on the first side of the first insulator layer. An area measurement of the first capacitor plate is at least equal in size relative to an area measurement of the first device. Thefirst device can comprise a sensitive circuit node (i.e., a first circuit node susceptible to soft errors). The first capacitor contact may abut the first circuit node so that it effectively couples the first circuit node to the first capacitor plate. The capacitor can be configured to increase the minimum charge required to cause a soft error in this first circuit node. The semiconductor structure can further comprise a second device in the active layer. Additionally, the semiconductor structurecan comprise a plurality of devices in the active layer, including the first device and at least one third device. The first deep trench isolation structure may be positioned around the plurality of devices to isolate the plurality of devices from oneor more second devices in the active layer. Each of the plurality of devices is isolated from another by shallow trench isolation structures. A portion of the first bulk layer that is defined by the first deep trench isolation structure comprises thefirst capacitor plate. The capacitor dielectric comprises a portion of the second insulator layer that is adjacent the first capacitor plate. The first capacitor contact contacts the first capacitor plate.

The entire second bulk layer or a portion thereof can comprise the second capacitor plate. The second capacitor plate is insulated from the first capacitor plate by the first deep trench isolation structure and the capacitor dielectric. Asecond capacitor contact contacts the second capacitor plate. If the entire second bulk layer comprises the second capacitor plate, than the second bulk layer may be grounded. If only a portion of the second bulk layer comprises the second capacitorplate, then a second insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure, extending down to the second insulator layer, may be formed around the second capacitor contact and, optionally, around one or more second devices in the active layer. The secondcapacitor contact may further contact a wire array above the active layer or the circuit node (i.e., second circuit node) of a second device in the active layer and enclosed within the second deep trench isolation structure. Again, if only a portion ofthe second bulk layer comprises the second capacitor plate, then the semiconductor structure may further comprise a third insulator layer adjacent the second bulk layer and a third insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure. The third deep trenchisolation structure is formed around the first deep trench isolation structure and the second deep trench isolation structure, extends to the third insulator layer and defines the portion of the second bulk layer comprising the second capacitor plate. Additionally, the semiconductor structure may further comprise a substrate adjacent the third insulator layer and a substrate contact contacting the substrate. The third deep trench isolation structure and the third insulator layer insulate thecapacitor from the substrate.

Another embodiment of the semiconductor structure comprises an active layer with a first device in the active layer. The active layer is on a first insulator layer. The first insulator layer is on a first bulk layer. The first bulk layer is ona second insulator layer and the second insulator layer is on a second bulk layer. A capacitor is coupled to the first device. The capacitor comprises a first capacitor plate, a capacitor dielectric, a second capacitor plate, and first and secondcapacitor contacts. The first capacitor plate of this structure is positioned adjacent to a second side of the first insulator layer in a region offset from the location of the device on the first side of the first insulator layer. An area measurementof the first capacitor plate is smaller in size relative to an area measurement of the device. A first insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure is positioned around the first capacitor contact and extends to the second insulator layer. Thisfirst deep trench isolation structure isolates the first capacitor contact and defines a portion of the first bulk layer comprising the first capacitor plate. The capacitor dielectric comprises a portion of the second insulator layer adjacent the firstcapacitor plate. The isolated first capacitor contact contacts the first capacitor plate and a first wire array above the active layer. The first device can comprise a sensitive circuit node (i.e., first circuit node) and the capacitor can beconfigured to increase the minimum charge required to cause a soft error in the first circuit node. The first wire array can couple the first capacitor contact and thereby, the first capacitor plate, to the first circuit node.

The entire second bulk layer or a portion thereof can comprise the second capacitor plate. The second capacitor plate is insulated from the first capacitor plate by the first deep trench isolation structure and the capacitor dielectric. Asecond capacitor contact contacts the second capacitor plate. If the entire second bulk layer comprises the second capacitor plate, than the second bulk layer may be grounded. If only a portion of the second bulk layer comprises the second capacitorplate, then a second insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure, extending down to the second insulator layer, may be formed around the second capacitor contact and, optionally, around a second device, having a second circuit node. The secondcapacitor contact may further contact a second wire array above the active layer or the second circuit node of a second device in the active layer and enclosed within the second deep trench isolation structure. Also, if only a portion of the second bulklayer comprises the second capacitor plate, then the semiconductor structure may further comprise a third insulator layer adjacent the second bulk layer and a third insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure. The third deep trench isolationstructure is formed around the first deep trench isolation structure and the second deep trench isolation structure, extends to the third insulator layer and defines the portion of the second bulk layer comprising the second capacitor plate. Additionally, the semiconductor structure may further comprise a substrate adjacent the third insulator layer and a substrate contact contacting the substrate. The third deep trench isolation structure and the third insulator layer insulate thecapacitor from the substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a semiconductor structure according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a semiconductor structure according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a semiconductor structure according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a semiconductor structure according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a semiconductor structure according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top-view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a semiconductor structure according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a semiconductor structure according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a semiconductor structure according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a semiconductor structure according to the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a semiconductor structure according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. The examples usedherein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scopeof the invention.

One method of decreasing soft error sensitivity (i.e., the SER) through increasing the minimum charge to cause a soft error (i.e., Qcrit) is by adding capacitance to the sensitive circuit node of the device. Increasing the capacitance of thesensitive circuit node can be accomplished by including thin or thick oxide capacitance. However, this method of increasing capacitance also increases the size of the device. Increasing the capacitance can also be accomplished by applying ametal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor in the metallization process (i.e., during the process in which layer(s) of metal are deposited on the semiconductor surface over the active layer to provide electrical contact to the devices). However, this methodcan potentially increase the complexity and size of the semiconductor structure and can slow down performance. In using either technique, size, complexity, and performance penalties must be weighed against the value of reducing the SER.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor structure that incorporates a capacitor for reducing the soft error rate of a sensitive circuit node (i.e., a circuit node that is particularly susceptible to soft errors) of a device within thestructure by increasing the minimum charge required to cause the soft error (i.e., Qcrit). Each embodiment of the semiconductor structure of the present invention comprises a multi-layer structure that incorporates a capacitor below a first insulatorlayer (e.g., buried oxide (BOX) layer) on which one or more devices are positioned.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-11, each embodiment of the structure 100, 200 of the present invention comprises a capacitor 150, 250 incorporated into a multi-layer semiconductor structure. The capacitor 150, 250 comprises a first capacitorplate, a capacitor dielectric, a second capacitor plate and first and second conductive capacitor contacts. Two structural embodiments are illustrated, 100 of FIGS. 1-8 and 200 of FIGS. 9-11. The two structures 100, 200 differ in the positioning andsize of the first capacitor plate 113, 213 in relation to the device 120, 220. Specifically, referring to structure 100 of FIGS. 1-8, the capacitor 150 is positioned adjacent the second side of the first insulator layer 102 in a region opposite theposition of the device 120 on the first side of the first insulator layer 102. An area measurement of the first capacitor plate 113 is equal to or greater than an area measurement of the device 120. Referring to structure 200 of FIGS. 9-11, thecapacitor 250 is positioned adjacent the second side of the first insulator layer 202, but offset from the position of the device 220 on the first side of the first insulator layer 202. An area measurement of the first capacitor plate 213 is less thanan area measurement of the device 220. Additionally, there may be minor variations within each structure 100, 200 (e.g., 100a-g, 200a-c).

Each semiconductor structure 100, 200 further comprises an insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure 131, 231 formed through an active layer (e.g., a silicon layer, including semiconductor devices) 101, 201 through a first insulator layer(e.g., relatively thick buried oxide (BOX) layer) 102, 202 through a first bulk layer (e.g., another silicon layer) 103, 203 to a second insulator layer (e.g., a relatively thin sub-BOX layer) 104, 204. The resulting isolated portion of the first bulklayer 103, 203 defines the first capacitor plate 113, 213 of the capacitor 150, 250. The first bulk layer 103, 203 is doped such that the first capacitor plate 113, 213 is the same type silicon (e.g., p-type or n-type) as the sensitive circuit node 121,221. A portion of the second insulator layer 104, 204 that is adjacent the first capacitor plate 113, 213 functions as the capacitor dielectric 114, 214. A second bulk layer (e.g., another silicon layer) 105, 205 is formed adjacent the second insulatorlayer 104, 204. A composite insulating layer 108, 208, comprising the gate oxides, can be formed on the active layer 101, 201.

For each structure 100, 200 the entire second bulk layer 105, 205 may comprise the second capacitor plate, as illustrated in structures 100a-e of FIGS. 1-5, respectively, and structure 200a of FIG. 9. Alternatively, the capacitor 150, 250 maycomprise a separate isolated second capacitor plate 115, 215. Referring to FIGS. 7-8 and 10-11, a portion of the second bulk layer 105, 205, isolated by a third insulator layer 106, 206 (e.g., sub-sub-BOX layer) and by a third insulator-filled deeptrench isolation structure 133, 233, comprises the second capacitor plate 115, 215. The third deep trench isolation structure 133, 233 is formed around the first deep trench isolation structure 131, 231 and the second deep trench isolation structure132, 232, extends to the third insulator layer 106, 206, and defines the portion of the second bulk layer 105, 205 that comprises the second capacitor plate 115, 215. Isolating the second capacitor plate 115, 215 provides for several advantages. Itallows for contacting a separate silicon substrate 107, 207 (i.e., third bulk layer) without impacting the capacitor 150, 250. It also allows for the second capacitor plate 115, 215 of multiple capacitors 150, 250 on the same wafer to be configured atdifferent potentials. Additionally, isolating the second capacitor plate 115, 215 would allow the capacitor 150, 250 to be positioned between two nodes of a static random access memory (SRAM) which is more effective than placing the capacitor betweenone of the nodes and ground.

For each structure 100, 200, the capacitance between the first capacitor plate 113, 213 and the second capacitor plate (105 of FIGS. 1-5, 205 of FIG. 9, 115 of FIGS. 7-8, and 215 of FIGS. 10-11, respectively) can increase the minimum chargerequired to cause a soft error (i.e., Qcrit) of a sensitive circuit node 121, 221 by a value of up to the voltage difference between the first capacitor plate 113, 213 and the second capacitor plate (105 of FIGS. 1-5, 205 of FIG. 9, 115 of FIG. 7-8, and215 of FIG. 10-11, respectively) times the capacitance (C). Thus, the capacitor 150, 250 of the semiconductor structures 100, 200 may be used to harden circuit nodes 121, 221 on critical devices 120, 220, if the devices 120, 220 are able to toleratesome performance or size penalties in exchange for reducing the soft error rate. The critical devices 120, 220 can comprise memory devices, flip-flops, latches, fuse latches (i.e., latches in which upsetting one latch can cause the memory to swap in anun-initialized column of memory that may contain bad bits), machine states, etc.

More particularly, referring to FIG. 1-5 and 7-8, a multi-layer semiconductor structure 100 incorporating a capacitor 150 to reduce the soft error rate of a first device 120 (e.g., a bi-stable device having a first circuit node 121) within thestructure 100 is illustrated. FIGS. 1-5 and 7-8 illustrate the same basic structure 100 with minor variations, to form structures 100a-g, as discussed below. The multi-layer semiconductor structure 100 comprises the following layers in order: an activelayer 101, a first insulator layer 102, a first bulk layer 103, a second insulator layer 104 and a second bulk layer 105. The second insulator layer 104 may be either continuous, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3-5 and 7-8, or patterned, as illustrated instructure 100b of FIG. 2. A capacitor 150 is positioned below the first insulator layer 102 and is coupled to the device 120. The capacitor 150 comprises a first capacitor plate 113, a capacitor dielectric 114, a second capacitor plate (105 of FIGS.1-5 and 115 of FIGS. 7-8), a first conductive capacitor contact 141 and a second conductive capacitor contact 142.

The first insulator layer 102 comprises a first side 102x and a second side 102y. The active layer 101 containing the first device 120 is positioned on the first side of the insulator layer 102x. The first capacitor plate 113 is positionedadjacent the second side of the first insulator layer 102y in a region opposite the first device 120. A first insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure 131 is positioned around the first device 120 and extends to the second insulator layer 104. Thus, the size (i.e., an area measurement) of the first capacitor plate 113 and the position of the first capacitor plate 113 are dependent upon the first deep trench isolation structure 131. An area measurement of the first capacitor plate 113 ofstructure 100 (i.e., the length 172 times the width (not shown) of the capacitor plate 113) is at least equal in size relative to an area measurement of the first device 120 (i.e., the length 173 times the width (not shown) of the device 120). Thegreater the area measurement of the first capacitor plate 113, the greater the capacitance of the capacitor 150. Referring to FIGS. 1-3 (structures 100a-c, respectively), the area measurement of the capacitor plate 113 is approximately equal in size toan area measurement of the first device 120 because the first deep trench isolation structure 131 that defines the first capacitor plate 113 is positioned immediately around the perimeter of the first device 120. Referring to FIG. 4 (structure 100d),the first deep trench isolation structure 131 may also be positioned around, but not immediately adjacent to the first device 120, thereby creating a first capacitor plate 113 that is larger than the first device 120. Alternatively, referring to thestructure 100e illustrated in FIGS. 5-6, the structure may optionally comprise one or more second devices 122 in the active layer 101 and a plurality of devices 136, including the first device 120 and one or more third devices 123 separated by shallowtrench isolation structures 135, also in the active layer 101. The first deep trench isolation structure 131 may also be positioned around the plurality of devices 136 in order to isolate the plurality of devices 136 from the second devices 122. Thus,the area measurement of the first capacitor plate 113 of structure 100e of FIGS. 5-6 may be significantly larger than an area measurement for the first device 120. A capacitor 150 having a larger first capacitor plate 113 extending under a plurality ofdevices 136 has a greater capacitance and can thus increases the Qcrit for the first circuit node 121 on a critical device 120 to a greater degree than a capacitor 150 with a smaller first capacitor plate 113 (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4). Similarly, as the thickness 171 of the second insulator layer 104 and, thus, the capacitor dielectric 114 decreases, the capacitance of the capacitor 150 increases. The thickness 171 of the capacitor dielectric 114 can be set or tuned to give more orless capacitance per square area. As the thickness 171 decreases, the area of the first capacitor plate 113 can be decreased to maintain a given capacitance. Thus, there is a tradeoff between the thickness 171 of the capacitor dielectric 114 and thearea of the first capacitor plate 113 to achieve a given capacitance and hence SER protection. Generally, the thickness 171 would be set globally whereas the area of the first capacitor plate 113 for each capacitor 150 would be set locally to achievethe desired capacitance for each critical device. For example, referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the area measurements of the first capacitor plate 113 for structures 100a and 100c are approximately equal to the area measurements for the device 120. However,the thickness 171 of the capacitor dielectric 114 of FIG. 3 is greater than that of FIG. 1. Thus, the capacitance of the capacitor 150 of structure 100c, as illustrated in FIG. 3, would be less than the capacitance of the capacitor 150 of structure100a, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The first capacitor contact 141 contacts the first capacitor plate 113 and abuts the first circuit node 121 so that it effectively couples the first circuit node 121 to the first capacitor plate 113. The capacitor dielectric 114 comprises aportion of the second insulator layer 104 that is adjacent the first capacitor plate 113. Since the structure 10b, as illustrated in FIG. 2, comprises a patterned second insulator layer 104, the entire second insulator layer 104 and the entire firstbulk layer 103 may comprise the capacitor dielectric 114 and first capacitor plate 113.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, as discussed above, the entire second bulk layer 105 can comprise the silicon substrate and function as the second capacitor plate. Thus, the substrate contact can function as the second capacitor contact 142. Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 7-8, the semiconductor structure 100 can comprise additional layers (e.g., a third insulator layer 106 and a third bulk layer (i.e., separate silicon substrate 107)) and can be configured such that an isolated portion ofthe second bulk layer 105 can comprise the second capacitor plate 115. Note that the exemplary structures 100f-g illustrated in FIG. 7-8 combine these additional features with the structures 100d and 100a, respectively, of FIGS. 4 and 1. However, thesefeatures (i.e., the additional layers and separate second capacitor plate 115) may also be combined with the structures 100b-c and 100e, illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 and FIG. 5, respectively. The second capacitor plate (105 of FIGS. 1-5 and 115 of FIG. 7-8)is insulated from the first capacitor plate 113 by the first deep trench isolation structure 131 and the capacitor dielectric 114. A second capacitor contact 142 contacts the second capacitor plate 105, 115. Referring to FIGS. 1-5, if the entire secondbulk layer 105 comprises the second capacitor plate, then the second bulk layer 105 may be grounded. Referring to FIGS. 7-8, if only an isolated portion of the second bulk layer 105 comprises the second capacitor plate 115, then a secondinsulator-filled deep trench isolation structure 132 is formed around the second capacitor contact 142 (see FIG. 7) or optionally around the second capacitor contact 142 and one or more second devices 122 (see FIG. 8). The second deep trench isolationstructure 132 extends to the second insulator layer 104. The second capacitor contact 142 may contact a wire array 160 above the active layer 101 (see FIG. 7) or may abut a second circuit node 124 of a second device 122 enclosed within the second deeptrench isolation structure 132, thereby coupling the second capacitor plate 115 to the second device 122. Portions of the second deep trench isolation structure 132 and the first deep trench isolation structure 131 may be shared, so that the minimumnumber of deep trench isolation structures 131, 132 need be formed. Also, referring to FIGS. 7-8, if only an isolated portion of the second bulk layer 105 comprises the second capacitor plate 115, then the semiconductor structures 100f-g comprise athird insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure 133. The third deep trench isolation structure 133 is formed around the first deep trench isolation structure 131 and the second deep trench isolation structure 132, extends to the third insulatorlayer 106 and defines the portion of the second bulk layer 105 comprising the second capacitor plate 115. Portions of the first deep trench isolation structure 131, the second deep trench isolation structure 132 and the third deep trench isolationstructure 133 may be shared, so that the minimum number of deep trench isolation structures 131, 132, 133 need be formed. Additionally, the semiconductor structures 100f-g may further comprise a substrate contact 143 contacting the substrate 107. Thethird deep trench isolation structure 133 and the third insulator layer 106 insulate the capacitor 150 from substrate 107.

In operation, multiple capacitors 150 incorporated into the structure 100 may be used to harden multiple devices 120 (e.g., multiple bi-stable devices of a flip-flop). Specifically, if a flip-flop comprises two components 120 (e.g., a masterlatch and a slave latch) and each component has two sensitive circuit nodes for a total of four sensitive circuit nodes 121, then four capacitors 150 could be incorporated into the structure 100 below the first insulator layer 102 such that eachcapacitor 150 is coupled to a specific circuit node 121. The capacitance between the first capacitor plate 113 and second capacitor plate (105 of FIGS. 1-5 and 115 of FIG. 7) increases the Qcrit of each first circuit node 121 proportionally. Forexample, if a flip-flop with an estimated size of approximately 16 micrometers squared (um.sup.2), not including the area for the contacts, has two components each with two circuit nodes 121, then, divided evenly, there are 4 um.sup.2/node. For a 20 nmdielectric the capacitance is approximately 1.75 femtofarads per micrometer squared (fF/um.sup.2), so the capacitance for each node is approximately 7 fF. At 1.0 volt, the Qcrit for each node 121 increases roughly 7.0 fC, which would greatly reduce thesoft error rate of the flip-flop.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, a multi-layer semiconductor structure 200 incorporating a capacitor 250 to reduce the soft error rate of a first device 220 (e.g., a first device having a first circuit node 221) within the structure 200 is illustrated. The multi-layer semiconductor structure 200 comprises the following layers in order: an active layer 201, a first insulator layer 202, a first bulk layer 203, a second insulator layer 204 and a second bulk layer 205. The second insulator layer 204 maybe continuous, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, or patterned. A capacitor 250 is coupled to the first device 220. The capacitor 250 comprises a first capacitor plate 213, a capacitor dielectric 214, a second capacitor plate (205 of FIGS. 9 and 215 ofFIGS. 10-11), a first conductive capacitor contact 241 and a second conductive capacitor contact 242. The configuration of the structure 200, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, differs from the earlier described structure 100. Specifically, structure 200comprises a relatively small first capacitor plate 213 and a first wire array 261 above the active layer 201 connecting the first capacitor contact 241 to the first circuit node 221, whereas the structure 100 comprises a relatively large first capacitorplate 113 and a first capacitor contact 141 directly abutting the sensitive circuit node 121. The structure 200 incurs less performance penalty as compared to structure 100 because structure 200 may not provide as much capacitance as structure 100 andtherefore, may not be as effective at increasing Qcrit of the sensitive node 221.

More particularly, referring to the semiconductor structures 200a-c of FIGS. 9-11, respectively, the first insulator layer 202 comprises a first side 202x and a second side 202y. The active layer 201 containing the first device 220 is positionedon the first side of the insulator layer 202x. The first capacitor plate 213 is positioned adjacent the second side of the first insulator layer 202y in a region offset from the position of the device 220 on the first side of the first insulator layer202x. A first insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure 231 is positioned around the first capacitor contact 241 and extends to the second insulator layer 204. This first deep trench isolation structure 231 isolates the first capacitor contact241 and defines a portion of the first bulk layer 203 comprising the first capacitor plate 213. As stated above, the capacitance of the capacitor 250 increases or decreases as a function of an area measurement of the first capacitor plate 213 (i.e., thelength 272 times the width (not shown) of the first capacitor plate 213). The structure 200a-c would be applicable only when a minimal amount of capacitance is required to increase the Qcrit of the circuit node 221 because the first capacitor plate 213of capacitor 250 is relatively small in order to limit the overall size of the structure 200a-c. Specifically, an area measurement of the first capacitor plate 213 (i.e., the length 272 times the width (not shown) of the first capacitor plate 213) issmaller in size relative to an area measurement of the first device 220 (i.e., length 273 times width (not shown) of the first device 220). The capacitor dielectric 214 comprises a portion of the second insulator layer 204 adjacent the first capacitorplate 213. The thickness 271 of the second insulator layer 204, and thereby the capacitor dielectric 214, may be varied to increase or decrease the capacitance of the capacitor 250 as needed. The isolated first capacitor contact 241 contacts the firstcapacitor plate 213 and a first wire array 261 above the active layer 201. The first wire array 261 can couple the first capacitor contact 241 and thereby, the first capacitor plate 213, to the first circuit node 221. The capacitor 250 can beconfigured to increase the minimum charge required to cause a soft error in the first circuit node 221.

Referring to the semiconductor structure 200a of FIG. 9, as discussed above, the entire second bulk layer 205 of structure 200a can comprise the silicon substrate, can be grounded and can function as the second capacitor plate. The substratecontact can function as the second capacitor contact 242. Alternatively, referring to the semiconductor structures 200b-c of FIG. 10-11, the semiconductor structure 200 may also comprise additional layers including a third insulator layer 206 and athird bulk layer (i.e., a separate silicon substrate 207) and be configured such that an isolated portion of the second bulk layer 205 comprises the second capacitor plate 215. The second capacitor plate (205 of FIGS. 9 and 215 of FIG. 10-11) isinsulated from the first capacitor plate 213 by the first deep trench isolation structure 231 and the capacitor dielectric 214. A second capacitor contact 242 contacts the second capacitor plate 205, 215.

Referring to the semiconductor structure 200b-c of FIGS. 10-11, if only an isolated portion of the second bulk layer 205 comprises the second capacitor plate 215, then a second insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure 232 is formed aroundthe second capacitor contact 242 (see FIG. 10) and, optionally, around one or more second devices 222 (see FIG. 11). The second deep trench isolation structure 232 of FIGS. 10-11 extends to the second insulator layer 204. The second capacitor contact242 may contact a second wire array 262 above the active layer 201 (see FIG. 10).

Alternatively, the second capacitor contact 242 may abut a second circuit node 224 of a second device 222 enclosed within the second deep trench isolation structure 232, thereby, coupling the second capacitor plate 215 with the second device 222. Portions of the second deep trench isolation structure 232 and the first deep trench isolation structure 231 may be shared, so that the minimum number of deep trench isolation structures 231, 232 need be formed. The semiconductor structures 200b-c alsocomprise a third insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure 233. The third isolation structure 233 is formed around the first deep trench isolation structure 231 and the second deep trench isolation structure 232, extends to the third insulatorlayer 206 and defines the portion of the second bulk layer 205 comprising the second capacitor plate 215. Portions of the first deep trench isolation structure 231, the second deep trench isolation structure 232 and the third deep trench isolationstructure 233 can be shared, so that the minimum number of deep trench isolation structures 231, 232, 233 need be formed. The semiconductor structures 200b-c may further comprise a substrate contact 243 contacting the substrate 207. The third deeptrench isolation structure 233 and the third insulator layer 206 insulate the capacitor 250 from substrate 207.

The semiconductor structures 100, 200, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, of the present invention may be fabricated by various known techniques such as by a Unibond "Smart Cut".TM. method, a bond and etch-back silicon-on-insulator (BESOI) method, ora separation by implantation of oxygen (SIMOX) method. These methods are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,987 to Srikrishhnan issued on Mar. 3, 1999 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,488 to Liao issued on Apr. 2, 2002, both of which are incorporated hereinby reference. Both the Smart Cut.TM. method and the BESOI methods form the structures by bonding two silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers together. Deep trenches for the various deep trench isolation structures (e.g., 131, 231; 132, 232; and, 133, 233)may be etched either before or after the two SOI wafers are bonded. After two SOI wafers are cleaned and bonded together, then the hydrogen-implanted wafer is cut away at the hydrogen-implanted region. The oxide grown on the oxidized wafer becomes thefirst insulator layer 102, 202 and the thin silicon layer above the hydrogen implant on the other wafer becomes the active layer 101, 201. The second insulator layers 104, 204 can be implanted in the first wafer before or after it is oxidized. Alternatively, the second insulator layer 104, 204 can be implanted through the first insulator layer 102, 202 for any silicon-on-insulator wafer fabrication method. Another method to make a thin second insulator layer 104, 204 across the entiresemiconductor structure 100, 200 is to tailor the implants that form the first insulator layer 102, 202 using a separation by implantation of oxygen (SIMOX) method such that the oxygen implants are tailored to leave a thin silicon layer 103, 203, whichcan be appropriately p-doped or n-doped, between two insulator layers (i.e., oxide layers), one thick 102, 202 and one thin 104, 204. The ratio of oxide thicknesses is such that the capacitive coupling to the second capacitor plate (105 of FIGS. 1-5,115 of FIGS. 7-8, 205 of FIG. 9, and 215 of FIGS. 10-11) is much greater than the capacitive coupling to the active silicon layer 101, 201.

Thus, as discussed above, the multi-layer semiconductor structure of the present invention comprises a capacitor incorporated into the semiconductor structure to increase Qcrit of a sensitive circuit node of a device in an active layer of thestructure. The structure comprises an insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure that is formed through the active silicon layer, through a first insulator layer, through a first bulk layer and ends adjacent to a second insulator layer. Theresulting isolated portion of the first bulk layer defines the first capacitor plate. A portion of the second insulator layer that is adjacent the first capacitor plate functions as the capacitor dielectric. The position and the size of the firstcapacitor plate relative to the position and size of the device varies depending upon the embodiment. Either the silicon substrate or a portion of a second bulk layer that is isolated by another insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure and athird insulator layer can comprise the second capacitor plate. A first capacitor contact couples, either directly or via a wire array, the circuit node of the device to the first capacitor plate. The resulting semiconductor structure can reduce thesoft error rate of critical devices, by increasing Qcrit of the device's circuit nodes, with minimal performance and/or size penalties. While the invention has been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that theinvention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.